Sequenom, Inc. has announced that research conducted under the Cancer Program at the Australian-based Garvan Institute of Medical Research demonstrated the successful utilization of Sequenom's MassARRAY® EpiTYPER™ technology for providing detailed DNA methylation analysis critical for comprehensive profiling of normal and disease DNA methylation patterns.

DNA methylation is important for the functional analysis and characterization of gene targets and is widely recognized as key to understanding, and potentially treating, various forms of cancer.

"Our EpiTYPER application represents a paradigm shift in DNA methylation analysis through its ability to provide high-throughput, cost-effective and quantitative DNA methylation analysis, making this product an indispensable tool for medium to large scale methylation studies," stated Harry Stylli, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Sequenom.

"This study is yet another example of the positive reception our MassARRAY technology has received in the genetic research community. During the past 12 months, researchers have published more than 50 separate articles in peer-reviewed journals citing their successful scientific discoveries utilizing Sequenom's MassARRAY technology.

These numerous citations, a significant increase over previous periods, are reflective of the increased adoption of MassARRAY technology as researchers have discovered and benefited from the superiority of its high sensitivity and flexibility compared with other technologies, and we expect this growth to continue."

The research study, "Genomic Profiling of CpG Methylation and Allelic Specificity Using Quantitative High-throughput Mass Spectrometry: Critical Evaluation and Improvements," was published in Nucleic Acids Research (September 2007).

The study researchers point to the need for an accurate and quantitative method for DNA methylation analysis to unravel the mechanisms underlying developmental and pathological changes.

The publication also refers to the initiation of the Human Epigenome Project, a public/private collaboration aimed at identifying, cataloging and interpreting genome-wide DNA methylation patterns to increase understanding and diagnosis of human disease.

"We believe this research conducted at the highly reputable Garvan Institute clearly endorses the EpiTYPER application as among the leading technologies for quantitative high-resolution DNA methylation analysis," added Dr. Stylli.

"We believe the ability of the EpiTYPER application to discover and validate normal and aberrant DNA methylation profiles in large cohorts has prompted its adoption by many of the world's top cancer research laboratories and hospitals."

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